Tinubu seeks investment in cancer detection, treatment

Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has called for more investment in the medical sector to ensure the early detention and treatment of cancer.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader was reacting to the death of former Chief of General Staff (CGS) under the Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar government and a former governor of Ondo and Lagos states, Vice Admiral Okhai Mike Akhigbe of cancer on Monday in New York, the United States.

In a condolence letter to the Akhigbe family, Tinubu described the death of the former CGS as a shock.

He noted that an early detection of cancer might have averted his death.

Tinubu said: “I call on the Federal Government to heavily invest in state-of-the-heart medical facilities in local hospitals, especially in the area of diagnosis and detention, so that this disease can be early detected and treated before it becomes life-threatening.

“We owe that much to the memory of Vice Admiral Akhigbe.”

The frontline politician paid tribute to Akhigbe, saying the late CGS was among a patriotic corps of Nigerian military officers, who assisted in the birth of the current democracy.

Asiwaju Tinubu said the late Naval officer, with the others in their group, earned Nigerians’ gratitude for reclaiming the honour of the military and delivering democracy to the country.

He urged the family to be consoled that the late Akhigbe handled whatever national assignment he was given to the best of his ability, including military postings as governor of two states and service as the country’s No. 2 citizen.

“We must leave everything to God. He created the late Admiral, and loved him more than all of us combined. If he has now called him to His side, we must all rejoice in total submission to His will and wisdom,” Asiwaju Tinubu said.

The APC leader urged the family to take heart and be consoled.

“Please, take heart. I pray for God’s protection for the entire family he left behind,” he wrote.

“On behalf of myself, my wife and our family, I condole with you on this irreplaceable loss,” he added.